Madeline Kulk

A former Tamworth Pirates player is set to face the Wallabies later this week as the Aussie squad prepares for the Bledisloe Cup. Mick Snowden has been named in a Super Rugby Allstars squad, which will line-up against Michael Cheika’s side on Friday night in Sydney. It will be the first trial of its kind, with the game set to help selectors finalise the Wallabies squad ahead of their clash with New Zealand. (vision only)

He may be a superstar on the BMX track, but Tamworth’s Jack Davis is proving once again he’s got what it takes in the world of weightlifting. Davis came third in the recent New South Wales weightlifting championships – even breaking a state record.

Transport for New South Wales will meet tomorrow to discuss carrier options for the Moree to Sydney air service. The route is now out for tender, with Qantas Link’s license set to expire at the end of September.

Additional fire investigators have been tasked to the Northern Tablelands following a spike in the number of illegal hazard reduction fires. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service says in the last month, crews have been called to more than 50 unauthorised burns…many of which have resulted in large grass fires because of the dry conditions. The bush fire danger period gets underway tomorrow in Armidale, Glen Innes, Uralla, Walcha, Inverell and Tenterfield – fire permits will be needed. (vision only)

A former north west local has ditched the booze to help rural cancer sufferers. Inspired by her dad’s cancer journey, Rebecca Gallegos is using Dry July to raise money for the Cancer Council’s Inala House in Tamworth.

With just one round of the regular season to go in the Waratah Basketball league, the Tamworth Thunderbolts are on track to make the finals. The side says it still has a lot to improve on and will use this weekend’s game against Coffs Harbour to fine tune their game plan.

Coledale’s Centenary Park is set for a major overhaul following the announcement of a $200,000 grant for a new playground and basketball courts. The new additions will be built beside the Tamworth Regional Youth Centre – the funds split between council and the state government. “In 2016, council undertook a survey of the local community and they indicated quite resolutely that they wanted activated space.” Construction is expected to begin by the end of October. (vision and audio in parts)

There are more tertiary education options on the horizon for Tamworth students with the state government confirming a number of universities have shown an interest in the city. While the University of New England and the University of Newcastle already have a presence in Tamworth, local MP, Kevin Anderson says there needs to be more options on the table. “We’re talking to UNE at the moment. There are a number of other universities that we’re talking to. They are circling, they can see the growth, the potential and the opportunity.” Mr Anderson wants to see a major focus on agriculture and aviation while ensuring services can sustain a growing population. “We have been identified as one of the northern centres for significant growth. We need to make sure we match that growth, provide the services, so that it attracts people …

Residents across the region have voiced their concerns about phone and internet services at a public hearing in Tamworth. The Telecommunications Review Committee is hosting a series of meetings across the country, as part of nation-wide review of services in regional, rural and remote areas. Some people claim they’ve been without landlines for several weeks, with a major delays in repair works. The committee will report back to the federal government by the end of September. (vision only)

The region’s National MPs are calling on their state Liberal colleagues to ‘up the anti’ and provide more financial support to struggling farmers. With the entire Northern Tablelands electorate now drought affected, MP Adam Marshall is calling for freight subsidies to be re-introduced and a temporary suspension on government department fees. He’s also asking the government to consider an interstate fodder haul. While in Tamworth, Kevin Anderson says many in his electorate are calling for more money in the drought assistance fund to upgrade infrastructure. (UPSOT)”This is gone on much longer than we thought. Here we are the end of July. It’s time now to think about what are the next steps, come back to the table. We said we would do that and I’m calling on the government to do that.” (vision and audio in parts)

Select a region

Search

News in Pictures

About – NBN News

Join Paul Lobb, Natasha Beyersdorf, Gavin Morris and Mitch Hughes for the latest news, sport and weather, 7 days a week, 365 days a year covering Northern NSW from the Central Coast up to the Gold Coast and including Tamworth and surrounding areas. With an experienced staff of reporters Tyson Cottrill, Jane Goldsmith, Sam Djodan, Kate Haberfield dedicated to bringing you the latest local news, the news that matters to you.